Council becoming increasingly digital-savvy

29/06/2015 12:00 a.m.

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​Monday 29 June 2015

As the 'likes' on Ashburton District Council's Facebook page near the 1000 mark and residents and business owners increasingly take advantage of Council's range of online services, it is now well and truly established in the digital era.

Following the weather warning the Council posted on Facebook recently ahead of the significant snow event in the district, a record 7,180 people were reached – a strong indication that the community in Ashburton District welcomes information via this increasingly popular social media channel.

Council's Chief Executive Andrew Dalziel says Council's move to becoming increasingly digital savvy in recent years means it is now able to communicate and engage with the community in real time.

"The number of people reached via Facebook during the recent snow event was testament of how responsive the community is to receiving information via this channel," says Mr Dalziel.

"It also enables Council to be proactive in responding to our residents when they give us messages about what is happening in their community."

"Facebook complements the more traditional methods of communication we also regularly use to engage with our community, and we would like to encourage more residents to take advantage of the different online mechanisms we offer."

People in the district can now pay rates and dog re-registrations via the Council's website and building consent applications are being accepted online too. These services save time, and are quick and convenient to use.

When it comes to paying rates, 85% of nearly 16,000 ratepayers in the district are now either paying online, via direct debit or through internet banking which has helped reduce the queues in Customer Services.

For more information about the Council's range of online services please visit our website or call the Customer Services team on 03 307 7700. To find and start following Council's Facebook page go to facebook.com/AshburtonDC